Method of remotely configuring a residue system of an agricultural harvester

ABSTRACT

A shifting method for an inline shaft system of a chopper system of an agricultural harvester is described and illustrated. The method includes the steps of detecting, temporarily rotating and engaging. The detecting step detects a failure to properly engage a shift collar with a splined component. The temporarily rotating step temporarily rotates the inline shaft system. The engaging step engages the shift collar with the splined component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to agricultural harvesters such ascombines, and, more particularly, to residue systems used in suchcombines.

2. Description of the Related Art

An agricultural harvester known as a “combine” is historically termedsuch because it combines multiple harvesting functions with a singleharvesting unit, such as picking, threshing, separating and cleaning. Acombine includes a header which removes the crop from a field, and afeeder housing which transports the crop matter into a threshing rotor.The threshing rotor rotates within a perforated housing, which may be inthe form of adjustable concaves and performs a threshing operation onthe crop to remove the grain. Once the grain is threshed it fallsthrough perforations in the concaves onto a grain pan. From the grainpan the grain is cleaned using a cleaning system, and is thentransported to a grain tank onboard the combine. A cleaning fan blowsair through the sieves to discharge chaff and other debris toward therear of the combine. Non-grain crop material such as straw from thethreshing section proceeds through a residue system, which may utilize astraw chopper to process the non-grain material and direct it out therear of the combine. When the grain tank becomes full, the combine ispositioned adjacent a vehicle into which the grain is to be unloaded,such as a semi-trailer, gravity box, straight truck, or the like; and anunloading system on the combine is actuated to transfer the grain intothe vehicle.

More particularly, a rotary threshing or separating system includes oneor more rotors which can extend axially (front to rear) or transverselywithin the body of the combine, and which are partially or fullysurrounded by a perforated concave. The crop material is threshed andseparated by the rotation of the rotor within the concave. Coarsernon-grain crop material such as stalks and leaves are transported to therear of the combine and discharged back to the field. The separatedgrain, together with some finer non-grain crop material such as chaff,dust, straw, and other crop residue are discharged through the concavesand fall onto a grain pan where they are transported to a cleaningsystem. Alternatively, the grain and finer non-grain crop material mayalso fall directly onto the cleaning system itself.

A cleaning system further separates the grain from non-grain cropmaterial, and typically includes a fan directing an airflow streamupwardly and rearwardly through vertically arranged sieves whichoscillate in a fore and aft manner. The airflow stream lifts and carriesthe lighter non-grain crop material towards the rear end of the combinefor discharge to the field. Clean grain, being heavier, and largerpieces of non-grain crop material, which are not carried away by theairflow stream, fall onto a surface of an upper sieve (also known as achaffer sieve) where some or all of the clean grain passes through to alower sieve (also known as a cleaning sieve). Grain and non-grain cropmaterial remaining on the upper and lower sieves are physicallyseparated by the reciprocating action of the sieves as the materialmoves rearwardly. Any grain and/or non-grain crop material remaining onthe top surface of the upper sieve are discharged at the rear of thecombine. Grain falling through the lower sieve lands on a bottom pan ofthe cleaning system, where it is conveyed forwardly toward a clean grainauger.

The residue system is configurable between a chopping and spreading modeand a windrowing mode, by stopping the combine and going to the rear ofthe combine and configuring the residue system to distribute thenon-grain material in a chopping and spreading mode or in a windrowingand spreading chaff mode. Each time it is desired to change the mode theoperator has to repeat this process.

What is needed in the art is a residue handling system for anagricultural combine which can be reliably changeable between residuehandling modes from the cab of the combine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method of shifting a clutch system of achopper of an agricultural harvester, and more particularly overcoming adifficulty when splines fail to align in the clutch system.

The invention in one form is directed to a shifting method for an inlineshaft system of a chopper system of an agricultural harvester. Themethod includes the steps of detecting, temporarily rotating andengaging. The detecting step detects a failure to properly engage ashift collar with a splined component. The temporarily rotating steptemporarily rotates the inline shaft system. The engaging step engagesthe shift collar with the splined component.

The invention in another form is directed to a shifting method for aninline shaft system of a chopper system. The method includes the stepsof detecting, temporarily rotating and engaging. The detecting stepdetects a failure to properly engage a shift collar with a splinedcomponent. The temporarily rotating step temporarily rotates the inlineshaft system. The engaging step engages the shift collar with thesplined component.

The invention in yet another form is directed to an agriculturalharvester having a chopper system including a shift collar, an actuator,and a controller. The shift collar is configured to engage splines ofthe chopper system. The actuator is shiftingly coupled to the shiftcollar and the controller is operatively coupled to the actuator. Thecontroller is configured to carry out the steps of detecting,temporarily rotating and engaging. The detecting step detects a failureto properly engage the shift collar with a splined component. Thetemporarily rotating step temporarily rotates a shaft system and theengaging step engages the shift collar with the splined component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of an agricultural harvester inthe form of a combine which includes an embodiment of a residue systemof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematical representation of a field to illustrate whenshifting residue modes may be undertaken with the residue systemcontained in the combine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned view of an inline shaft shifting systemused by an embodiment of a shifting method of the present invention usedin the combine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is another partially sectioned view of the inline shaft shiftingsystem of FIG. 3 with a shifting collar moved to a position differentthan that illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematical representation of an embodiment of a residuecontrol system used with the shifting system of FIGS. 3 and 4 in thecombine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a shifting method of the presentinvention used with the shifting system of FIGS. 3 and 4 in the combineof FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a display on the operator interface usedwith the residue system of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is an illustration of another display on the operator interfaceused with the residue system of the present invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplification set out hereinillustrates an embodiment of the invention, in one form, and suchexemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terms “grain”, “straw” and “tailings” are used principallythroughout this specification for convenience but it is to be understoodthat these terms are not intended to be limiting. Thus “grain” refers tothat part of the crop material which is threshed and separated from thediscardable part of the crop material, which is referred to as non-graincrop material, MOG or straw. Incompletely threshed crop material isreferred to as “tailings”. Also the terms “forward”, “rearward”, “left”and “right”, when used in connection with the agricultural harvesterand/or components thereof are usually determined with reference to thedirection of forward operative travel of the harvester, but again, theyshould not be construed as limiting. The terms “longitudinal” and“transverse” are determined with reference to the fore-and-aft directionof the agricultural harvester and are equally not to be construed aslimiting.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there isshown an agricultural harvester in the form of a combine 10, whichgenerally includes a chassis 12, ground engaging wheels 14 and 16, aheader 18, a feeder housing 20, an operator cab 22, a threshing andseparating system 24, a cleaning system 26, a grain tank 28, and anunloading auger 30.

Front wheels 14 are larger flotation type wheels, and rear wheels 16 aresmaller steerable wheels. Motive force is selectively applied to frontwheels 14 through a power plant in the form of a diesel engine 32 and atransmission (not shown). Although combine 10 is shown as includingwheels, is also to be understood that combine 10 may include tracks,such as full tracks or half tracks.

Header 18 is mounted to the front of combine 10 and includes a cutterbar 34 for severing crops from a field during forward motion of combine10. A rotatable reel 36 feeds the crop into header 18, and a doubleauger 38 feeds the severed crop laterally inwardly from each side towardfeeder housing 20. Feeder housing 20 conveys the cut crop to threshingand separating system 24, and is selectively vertically movable usingappropriate actuators, such as hydraulic cylinders (not shown).

Threshing and separating system 24 is of the axial-flow type, andgenerally includes a rotor 40 at least partially enclosed by androtatable within a corresponding perforated concave 42. The cut cropsare threshed and separated by the rotation of rotor 40 within concave42, and larger elements, such as stalks, leaves and the like aredischarged from the rear of combine 10. Smaller elements of cropmaterial including grain and non-grain crop material, includingparticles lighter than grain, such as chaff, dust and straw, aredischarged through perforations of concave 42.

Grain which has been separated by the threshing and separating assembly24 falls onto a grain pan 44 and is conveyed toward cleaning system 26.Cleaning system 26 may include an optional pre-cleaning sieve 46, anupper sieve 48 (also known as a chaffer sieve), a lower sieve 50 (alsoknown as a cleaning sieve), and a cleaning fan 52. Grain on sieves 46,48 and 50 is subjected to a cleaning action by fan 52 which provides anairflow through the sieves to remove chaff and other impurities such asdust from the grain by making this material airborne for discharge fromstraw hood 54 of combine 10. Grain pan 44 and pre-cleaning sieve 46oscillate in a fore-to-aft manner to transport the grain and finernon-grain crop material to the upper surface of upper sieve 48. Uppersieve 48 and lower sieve 50 are vertically arranged relative to eachother, and likewise oscillate in a fore-to-aft manner to spread thegrain across sieves 48, 50, while permitting the passage of cleanedgrain by gravity through the openings of sieves 48, 50.

Clean grain falls to a clean grain auger 56 positioned crosswise belowand in front of lower sieve 50. Clean grain auger 56 receives cleangrain from each sieve 48, 50 and from bottom pan 58 of cleaning system26. Clean grain auger 56 conveys the clean grain laterally to agenerally vertically arranged grain elevator 60 for transport to graintank 28. Tailings from cleaning system 26 fall to a tailings augertrough 62. The tailings are transported via tailings auger 64 and returnauger 66 to the upstream end of cleaning system 26 for repeated cleaningaction. A pair of grain tank augers 68 at the bottom of grain tank 28convey the clean grain laterally within grain tank 28 to unloading auger30 for discharge from combine 10.

The non-grain crop material proceeds through a residue handling system70. Residue handling system 70 includes a chopper, counter knives, awindrow door and a residue spreader. When combine 10 is in the choppingand spreading mode, the chopper is set to a high speed (3,000 RPM), thecounter knives may be engaged, the windrow door is closed and theresidue spreader is running. This causes the non-grain crop material tobe chopped in to pieces of approximately 6 inches or less and spread onthe ground. When combine 10 is in the windrow mode the chopper is at alow speed (800 RPM), the counter knives are disengaged and the windrowdoor is open. The residue spreader may continue operation to spread onlythe chaff, with the crop material passing through the passageway createdby the open windrow door.

Now, additionally referring to FIG. 2 there is shown a field 72, combine10 enters field 72 at the upper left and is in an assumed chopping andspreading mode. Combine 10 starts harvesting by turning right andproceeding along a pathway in the chopping and spreading mode 74 tocreate a headland that is generally two header widths wide. The headlandis a harvested section that permits combine 10 to turn around whenharvesting the rest of the field without driving on unharvested crop. Tochop and spread the crop residue in the headlands at each end of field72 allows combine 10 to not have to cross windrows that can potentiallydrag beneath combine 10. The additional residue left in the headlandshelps to prevent field erosion. It is also possible to have an entireborder around field 72 where the crop residue is spread. Atchop-to-windrow change point 78 residue handling system 70 is changed toa windrow mode and combine 10 proceeds along a pathway in a windrow mode76 until getting to windrow-to-chop change point 80. At change point 80residue handling system 70 is changed to a chopping and spreading modeand travels along another pathway in chopping and spreading mode 74until reaching change point 78. At change point 78 residue handlingsystem 70 is again changed to windrow mode 76 and the rest of field 72is completed. The mode may be changed at the conclusion of the field inanticipation of the next field.

A problem, that is solved by the present invention, can be encounteredwhen shifting the chopper between high and low speeds. Now, additionallyreferring to FIGS. 3 and 4, there can be seen a clutch system 82 havingpulley splines 84, pulley splines 86, hub spines 88, a collar 90, anactuator 92 and a collar fork 94. Collar 88 is shown in FIG. 3 engagingdrive hub splines 88 with pulley splines 86 placing inline shaft 96 intoa high speed mode for driving the chopper. As seen in FIG. 4 actuator 92has moved collar fork 94 causing collar 90 to be shifted to therebycouple pulley splines 84 with hub splines 88 to place clutch system 82into a low speed mode. The problem alluded to above occurs when theinternal splines of collar 90 hit the end of either pulley splines 84 orpulley splines 86 (depending on the direction of the shift) and do notproperly engage, which can be referred to as a mid-stroke stall.

Now, additionally referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown acontroller 98 coupled to actuator 92, a shift sensor 100 and an operatorinterface 102. Controller 98 carries out the steps of method 150.Operator interface 102 is located in cab 22 and can be either astandalone system or integrated into an existing interface. Shift sensor100 is a position sensor associated with clutch system 82 to detect theposition of collar 90 directly or indirectly. Sensor 100 may beintegrated with actuator 92. Controller 98 may be a standalonecontroller or integrated with a system controller of combine 10. Anoperator selects a new residue mode at step 152 on operator interface102 and controller 98 receives the command. Controller 98 causesactuator 92 to attempt to shift collar 90 at step 154. If sensor 100detects a successful shift then method 150 proceeds to step 172 andcontroller 98 sends a message to operator interface 102 causing adisplay to indicate the new mode of residue handling system 70.

When the problem discussed herein is encountered sensor 100 detects thatthe attempted shift was not successful at step 156 and it is determinedat step 158 that collar 90 is in an uncommanded position. Collar 90 isthen returned to the previous position at step 160 and if the number ofattempts to engage collar 90 is less than X as determined in step 162,where X is anticipated to be 3, although other numbers are contemplated,that method 150 proceeds to step 164. At step 164 the chopper drive istemporarily engaged for a short period of time, perhaps less than 2seconds, just enough to change the spline misalignment that led to themid-stroke stall. The chopper speed is monitored at step 166 until thechopper speed is approximately equal to zero, or until it is absolutelyzero and then the chopper shift is attempted again at step 154.

If at step 162, it is determined that the number of sequential attemptsto shift collar 90 is greater than X, then the operator is alerted byway of a message sent at step 168 to operator interface 102. The messagealerts the operator that the shift was not successful and a manualinspection of clutch system 82 is required as illustrated at step 170.

Additionally, prior to the engagement of the chopper at step 164, theoperator may be requested to initiate the engagement to thereby preservevehicle safety interlocks. It is also contemplated that a sensor systemmay be in place to detect if anyone is proximate to combine 10 so thatan automated engagement can occur without the operator commanding it.

The following table denotes mode selections and the resulting selectionfor the chopper speed, the counter knife position, the position of thewindrow door and the spreader position.

Chop/Swath Residue Handling Modes Counter Windrow Chopper Knife DoorSpreader Mode Speed Position Position Position Spread chaff and Low 0%Closed Down unchopped straw Windrow unchopped Low 0% Closed Up straw andchaff Windrow unchopped Low 0% Open Down straw and spread chaff Spreadchaff and High 0-100% Closed Down chopped straw Windrow chopped strawHigh 0-100% Closed Up with chaff Windrow chopped straw High 0-100% OpenDown and spread chaff

Now, additionally referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 there are shown somepossible interface screens for the operator interface. A 4-button matrixis illustrated to allow the operator to select the desired mode. Thebuttons are created with dual icons representing the primary componentsbeing controlled. As shown the chopper speed is shown in columns, highand low, and represented by a rabbit and a turtle inside a chopper icon.The windrow door icon shows the door in an open or closed stateaccording to the row.

The buttons and underlying control program is configurable to controlsecondary sub-systems, such as the chopper counter knife position. Thesystem includes control of the chopper counter knife position, in thatthe counter knives may or may not be engaged (>0%) when the chopper isin high speed, depending on the level of chopping that is desired andthe ease with which the crop is chopped. In a dry crop condition, it maynot be necessary to engage the counter knives, whereas if the crop isdamp and the chopping more difficult, then the counter knives may beengaged. However, to protect the drive system of the combine, certainchopper systems cannot chop with the counter knives engaged if thechopper is at slow speed. This will cause high torque on the chopperdrive system, potentially causing damage. Thus, residue handling system70 will automatically disengage (0%) the counter knives whenever thechopper is selected for slow speed operation.

As an example, if residue handling system 70 is in the chopping andspreading mode with the counter knives engaged (>0%), and the operatorwants to switch to the windrowing mode, first the machine is disengaged,and then the new mode is selected. Then the system will provide thenecessary signals to the required actuators to open the windrow door andshift the chopper to low speed and the counter knives are automaticallydisengaged to 0% because they are not desired in the windrowing mode.The system can remember the last engaged position of the counter knives,such that a subsequent return to the chopping and spreading mode willalso reengage the counter knives to the previous position.

It is further considered that additional sub-systems of residue handlingsystem 70 could be connected to the desired modes, such as spreaderimpeller speed, deflector positions, and spreader position(operating/storage); the windrow chute position and side deflectorangles when in the windrowing mode.

The threshing system of combine 10 influences the straw quality, so itis also contemplated that controller 98 may control components in othercombine systems, especially the threshing system features such asconcave clearance, cage vane angle, or rotor speed. It is furthercontemplated that the chopper counter knives may not be returned to aprevious setpoint.

Advantages of the present invention include utilizing existing clutchesand components already on combine 10 and does not require complex andspecially designed components. Further, the interface allows theoperator to select the desired operating mode without multiple buttonsand switches.

Relative to residue handling system 70, it is contemplated thatcontroller 98 could automatically engage residue handling system 70 ifother sensors were used that would guarantee no bystanders were near themachine, as briefly mentioned above. Sensors, like backup sensors onautomotive vehicles, could be used. It is also contemplated that ifcombine 10 has a chopper which permits chopping crop residue in slowspeed, then the integral chopper system can convert on-the-go from thechopping and spreading mode to the windrowing mode by disengaging thecounter knives and opening the windrow door, and vice-versa. This typeof chopper may be a roto-processor, such as previously patented by CaseNew Holland in U.S. Pat. No. 7,867,072, and commonly used on balers. Itis additionally contemplated that the system will remember the lastengaged position of the counter knives, such that a return to thechopping and spreading mode will also engage the counter knives.

It is further conceived that alternatively it may be unnecessary toengage the chopper drive at step 164 to rotate the chopper. Othermethods may be used. For example, an electric motor could be coupled tothe input shaft of the chopper to rotate it so that the clutch splinesare aligned and the shift collar may slide freely.

Additionally, relative to operator interface 102, a 4-square box matrixcould also be used instead of the indicated buttons as proposed. Theinterface may be on the right-hand console in the operators cab insteadof on the touch screen display. Yet further, it is contemplated that theinterface may be based on voice recognition (audible input from theoperator) of the commanded position.

While this invention has been described with respect to at least oneembodiment, the present invention can be further modified within thespirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is thereforeintended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the inventionusing its general principles. Further, this application is intended tocover such departures from the present disclosure as come within knownor customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains andwhich fall within the limits of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shifting method for an inline shaft system of achopper system of an agricultural harvester, the method comprising thesteps of: detecting a failure to properly engage a shift collar with asplined component; temporarily rotating the inline shaft system; andengaging said shift collar with said splined component.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising the step of returning said shift collar to aprevious position, said returning step taking place after said detectingstep.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step ofmonitoring a speed of the inline shaft system after said temporarilyrotating step is executed to ensure that said speed is approximatelyzero.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said engaging step is notcarried out until said monitoring step has ensured that said speed isapproximately zero.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein said detectingstep includes the sub step of detecting said shift collar in anuncommanded position, with said returning step taking place thereafter.6. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of determining avalue of how many sequential times said detecting step has detected thefailure.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step ofalerting an operator when said value exceeds a predetermined number. 8.The method of claim 7, wherein said predetermined number is three. 9.The method of claim 1, repeating said detecting step and saidtemporarily rotating step until said engaging step can be carried out.10. A shifting method for an inline shaft system of a chopper system,the method comprising the steps of: detecting a failure to properlyengage a shift collar with a splined component; temporarily rotating theinline shaft system; and engaging said shift collar with said splinedcomponent.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step ofreturning said shift collar to a previous position, said returning steptaking place after said detecting step.
 12. The method of claim 11,further comprising the step of monitoring a speed of the inline shaftsystem after said temporarily rotating step is executed to ensure thatsaid speed is approximately zero.
 13. The method of claim 12, whereinsaid engaging step is not carried out until said monitoring step hasensured that said speed is approximately zero.
 14. The method of claim12, wherein said detecting step includes the sub step of detecting saidshift collar in an uncommanded position, with said returning step takingplace thereafter.
 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising thestep of determining a value of how may sequential times said detectingstep has detected the failure.
 16. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising the step of alerting an operator when said value exceeds apredetermined number.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein saidpredetermined number is three.
 18. The method of claim 10, repeatingsaid detecting step and said temporarily rotating step until saidengaging step can be carried out.
 19. An agricultural harvester having achopper system, comprising: a shift collar configured to engage splinesof the chopper system; an actuator shiftingly coupled to said shiftcollar; and a controller operatively coupled to said actuator, saidcontroller being configured to carry out the steps of: detecting afailure to properly engage said shift collar with a splined component;temporarily rotating a shaft system; and engaging said shift collar withsaid splined component.
 20. The agricultural harvester of claim 19,wherein said controller is further configured to repeat said detectingstep and said temporarily rotating step until said engaging step can becarried out.